Live reporting by
Jennifer Lenz
Committee on Public Safety, approves "snap curfew" ordinance in a 10- 7 split vote
Good Afternoon Chicago! I’ll be live-reporting today's Chicago City Council’s Committee of Public Safety meeting for #CHIdocumenters @CHIdocumenters @city_bureau
12:59 PM May 20, 2025 CDT

The committee meeting begins at 1:00pm at City Hall, 2nd Floor in Council Chambers. I’ll be joining online at chicityclerk.com
chicityclerk.com

Today's agenda will proceed with a discussion about the Amendment for the "Curfew for Mass Gatherings and Custody Procedure" aka the 'curfew law'. @chicityclerk @brianforchicago

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago They're off to a late start...the meeting has finally been called to order at 1:31pm by Chairman Brian Hopkins & Alderman of the 2nd Ward @brianforchicago

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago There were 5 public speakers. 1 was a citizen talking about a noise ordinance. The others spoke passionately about the curfew ordinance. 1 person was in support while others who were all leaders from community organizations and even legal aid organizations did not support.

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago The reason community leaders & legal aid orgs OPPOSE the ordinance is bc it will disproportionally target black & brown youth. It takes away safe public spaces from youth instead of investing in the youth. Additionally, it is opposed by ALL civil rights orgs. @chicityclerk @ACLU

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago @ACLU The ordinance means a 'mass gathering' is 20 or more people in ANY public space at ANY time can be subject to a "curfew" with only a 30 min verbal warning. If not followed, then a $500 fine is issued.

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago @ACLU Personally, I find this crazy. I can't remember the last time I was anywhere with less than 20 ppl. This is Chicago. I can't host my 20 friends in my tiny apartment. Obvi

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago @ACLU The ACLU of Illinois & 19 other Legal Aid & civil Rights Organizations have written an open letter OPPOSING the ordinance @NLGChicago @FDLAChicago @JJInitiative @ACLUofIL @Final5Campaign @CookCoDefender @ChiFreeSchool @ChgoCivilRights @Loevy @shrivercenter @CGLA @ChiAppleseed

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago @ACLU @NLGChicago @FDLAChicago @JJInitiative @ACLUofIL @Final5Campaign @CookCoDefender @ChiFreeSchool @ChgoCivilRights @Loevy @shrivercenter @CGLA @ChiAppleseed WOW the Legal Department of the Chicago City Council admitted in this meeting they have NOT been given enough time to review this ordinance so they have chosen not to give any council or show up to the committee meeting. The absence of the legal department IS LOUD.

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago @ACLU @NLGChicago @FDLAChicago @JJInitiative @ACLUofIL @Final5Campaign @CookCoDefender @ChiFreeSchool @ChgoCivilRights @Loevy @shrivercenter @CGLA @ChiAppleseed I have covered several Committee of Public Safety meetings. This one feels different. The way Chairman Hopkins talks abt the Ord. makes me uncomfortable bc it feels like he is pushing his opinion on his peers & pushing back when they don't feel the same. @brianforchicago

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago @ACLU @NLGChicago @FDLAChicago @JJInitiative @ACLUofIL @Final5Campaign @CookCoDefender @ChiFreeSchool @ChgoCivilRights @Loevy @shrivercenter @CGLA @ChiAppleseed I wish I had better news to report but, a motion on the ordinance passed 10-7.

@chicityclerk @brianforchicago @ACLU @NLGChicago @FDLAChicago @JJInitiative @ACLUofIL @Final5Campaign @CookCoDefender @ChiFreeSchool @ChgoCivilRights @Loevy @shrivercenter @CGLA @ChiAppleseed I urge folks to speak up! The deadline for written public comment [for the next Public Safety mtg] is today at 5:00pm chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Meetings/
chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Meetings/

Meeting adjourned at 2:50pm. This concludes the @ChiCouncil Committee of Public Safety meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for May 22 at 10:30am. For more meeting coverage, check out . @CHIdocumenters @city_bureau documenters.org
documenters.org